Multiple electrical connector



1967 M. L. FRALEY 3,300,751

MULTIPLE ELECTRI CAL CONNECTOR Fild Aug. 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. I

,Mswm LAwRu/ce FR .EY

Jan; 24, 1967 M. FRALEY 3,300,751

I MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR -Filed Aug. 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VENTOR.

I Pym/m LAWRENCELFRALEY BW/ ,M'

Jan. 24, 1967 M. L. FRALEY 3,300,751

MULTIPLE ELECTRI CAL CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VFN TOR.

Muvm LAWREME F MEY Jan. 24, 1967 M. L. FRALEY 3,300,751

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR MELwN LAuReucE FRA Y Jam 1967 M. FRALEY 3,30

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a Q Q; mi; I

"3 INVENTOR.

Mewm LAWRENCE F zALEy United States Patent 3,300,751 MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Melvin Lawrence Fraley, Harrisburg, Pa., assiguor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Aug. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 388,159 6 Claims. (Ci. 339-91) This invention relates to a multiple electrical connector, and particularly to a multiple electrical connector for use in conjunction with stepping switches, and the like.

In the field of stepping switches of the type manufactured by Western Electric Corporation, Automatic Electric Company and C. P. Clare and Company, the stepping switches are generally of the multicontact, multilevel type wherein the contacts in each level are disposed in a semicircular-or arcuate line, are in alignment with the contact of an adjacent level contacts and separated therefrom via dielectric material forming a laminated structure. The

. contacts extend outwardly from one side of the laminated structure for engagement by the wiper assembly of the switch and extend outwardly from the other side for engagement with respective conductors.

Heretofore, these conductors have been connected to the contacts by taking each conductor, stripping it, wrapping the stripped end around a contact, and soldering the stripped end to the contact. This method requires a large amount of time to properly connect a stepping switch for effective operation; and, if a conductor becomes broken, it has to be rewired via soldering which takes time, and the workman has to be careful lest the soldering iron create other problems as a result of accidentally engaging other contacts which might cause them to become improperly connected. Also, if a switch becomes defective and needs to be replaced, all of the conductors have to be disconnected from their respective contacts, and they have to be rewired and soldered onto a new switch.

This takes a lot of time and if this happens too often, it is possible that some of the conductors become brittle after repeated connections and disconnections, causing these conductors to be shorter in length; and, if enough length has .not been provided, then the conductors will have to be spliced or replaced, creating more problems and using more time. Other drawbacks can, of course, be visualized but need not be propounded.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a multiple electrical connector for engagement with stepping switches and the like.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a multiple electrical connector having positive alignment with the contacts to be engaged and stabilization therewith.

, A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple electrical connector having a positive locking means.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a multiple electrical connector wherein each individual connector is removable from the connector block.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but are given for purposes of illustration and principles thereof and the manner of applying them in practical use so that they may modify them in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

. In the drawings:

3,300,751 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 FIGURE 1 is an exploded, plan view of the multiple electrical connector and a stepping switch onto which the multiple electrical connector is to be connected;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the multiple electrical connector and stepping switch in engagement;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front-elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connector member in position in the connector block;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG- URE 5; 7

FIGURE 7 is a partial perspective view of a segment of the connector block;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a connector member;

FIGURE 9 is a partially front view of the inner opening of a cavity of the connector block; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Turning now to the drawings, and more particularly FIGURES 1-8, there is illustrated a connector block CB adapted to be connected to a stepping switch SS, type 45, manufactured by Automatic Electric Company, Chicago, Illinois. It is to be understood, however, that this type of switch is illustrated in phantom and is not to be taken as the only type of switch onto which the multiple electrical connector, object of the present invention, is to be engaged, since there are numerous stepping switches similar to this type but which have one feature in common, i.e., the semicircular or arcuate disposition of contacts 1 in aligned rows within dielectric material to form a laminated structure. This laminated structure may, of course, be a unitary block of dielectric material.

The stepping switch has a mounting plate 2 on which the laminated structure, wiping assembly and operating solenoid with associated contacts are mounted. A plate member 3 is mounted on each end of plate 2 and serves as mounting members for mounting the stepping switch via shock absorbers (not shown) onto a mounting bracket in accordance with conventional practice. A T-shaped plate 4 and a semicircular plate 5, with plate 5 on top of plate 4, are secured to mounting plate 2 as a unit via screws 6. A screw 7 is disposed within plate 5 between an arcuate recess 8 and a rectangular recess 9 thereof. Recess 8 surrounds the nut and screw that holds the wiper assembly of the stepping switch on mounting plate 2.

Screw 7 has a bearing section 7 between the head and threaded section thereof (see FIGURE 3). As can be discerned, the perpendicular leg of T-shaped plate 4, which may be defined as the guide leg, is centrally aligned with screw 7 and recess 9, and extends beyond the periphery of the semicircular laminated structure of the stepping switch in which contacts 1 are disposed. The other leg of plate 4 is thicker than the perpendicular leg. Plates 4 and 5 define a mounting and guiding means for the connector block when it is to be mounted onto the stepping switch, as will be explained hereafter.

Connector block CB comprises a top plate 10, a bottom plate 11, and laminated structure 12 secured therebetween as by screws, all having a substantially semicircular configuration. Top plate 10 has a recess 13 therein, which, as seen from FIGURE 1, the left side exposes some of aligned connector member 14. The reason for this is that mounting plate 2 in this area has a similar configuration. A groove 15 is located in the underneath surface of plate 10 and centrally thereof. The sides of the entrance to groove 15 are preferably inclined to facilitate insertion of the guide leg 4 within this groove. An inner semicircular ridge 16 is located on plate 10 which extends along a semicircular line that is similar to the semicircular line of the innermost ends of connector members 14 but is closer to the vertical axis thereof with the exception of the left side when viewing FIGURE 1. Groove 15 is also located in this ridge. Thus, as can be discerned, the top section containing recess 13 is about half the thickness of the U-shaped section containing ridge 16 (see FIGURE 4).

An F-shaped lever 17 is pivotally mounted on the bearing surface of a screw 18 similar to that of screw 7. Screw 18 is threadably mounted centrally in the top section of top plate 10 and medially of groove 15. Lever 17 has an arcuate-shaped slot 19 for engagement with bearing surface 7 of screw 7. Section 20 of lever 17 is for operating the lever. A set screw 21 is located adjacent the inner end of slot 19 for locking lever 17 in position as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Of course, lever 1'7 may be mounted on plate 5 and screw 7 could be mounted on top plate 10.

A wire-holding means 22 comprises a first section 23 having an arcuate-shaped portion 24. Screws 25 extend through holes proximate the ends of portion 24 in order to secure section 23 to the rear section of top plate 10. As shown, section 23 is disposed medially of plate 10, but this section may be disposed at any location along the periphery of plate 10 in order to comply with the most desirable disposition of wires W connected to connector members 14. The sides of section 23 slope inwardly and the underneath surface is arcuate. Lugs 26 extend outwardly from each side of section 23.

A second section 27 includes U-shamd ends 28 into which lugs 26 are disposed. Screws 29 extend through ends 28 and threadably engage lugs 26 in order to tightly engage lugs 26 in order to tightly engage wires W when sections 23 and 27 are moved toward one another thereby. The upper surfaces of ends 28 are sloped to accommodate the sloped sides of section 23. The inner surface of section 27 against which wires W engage is also arcuate and this is true with regard to the bottom surface thereunder (see FIGURE 4).

Bottom plate 11 is U-shaped and contains a stepped section 30 on the inner surface facing connector members 14. Laminated structure 12 is secured as by screws or other suitable means between plates 10 and 11. Laminated structure 12 comprises a number of U-shaped or semicircular members 31 in stacked relationship and made from a suitable dielectric material. Plates 10 and 11, as well as wire-holding means 22, are preferably made of aluminum, but, of course, they may be made from any suitable material. While the outer periphery of plates 10 and 11 have been disclosed as being U-shaped or arcuate shaped, they may take any other desirable configuration.

Each member 31 includes equally-spaced recesses 32 in one surface, and equally-spaced recesses 33 in the other surface opposite recesses 32. Each recess 32 includes a groove 34 in each side. Each recess 33 has a stepped section 35 and a centrally-located locking groove 36 located in the bottom surface and extends about half the distance of recess 33 from the inner side thereof. The inner end of one side of stepped section 35 has an abutting surface 37, the purpose of which will be explained hereafter.

When members 31 are stacked to form laminated structure 12, recesses 32 in one surface of one member 31 will be opposite recesses 33 in the other surface of another'member 31, which surfaces will obviously be in engagement. Thus, recesses 32 in opposite relationship with respect to recesses 33 define cavities in which connector members 14 are disposed and held therein. Of course, laminated structure 12 may be a unitary block manufactured via conventional molding techniques or the like.

A connector member 14 is illustrated in FIGURE 8 and is made preferably in accordance with conventional stamping techniques from metal having suitable conductive, as well as spring, characteristics; Connector member 14 comprises a hollow tubular section 38 of substantially rectangular configuration. A lance member 39 is blanked out of one side of section 38 and it has one end anchored to section 38 while the other end is free and extends outwardly therefrom. Lance 39, adjacent its anchored end, has a radiused portion which extends inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of section 38 which abets the spring characteristic of lance 39.

A lug 40 is blanked out from another side of section 38 which is adjacent theside containing lance 39. Lug 44 extends outwardly from the side from which it was blanked in a direction substantially normal thereto. Times 41 extend outwardly from opposite sides of one end of section 38. Each tine, from its outer end to about the middle, is spoon-shaped and has an inwardly-directed dimple 42. Thus, tines 41 and the dimples thereof define a contact-engaging section.

A ferrule section 43 extends outwardly from the other end of section 38 in order to be crimped, in accordance with conventional crimping techniques, onto the conductor and insulation of wire W.

Each connector member 14 is pushed into a respective cavity of laminated structure 12 from the outer end toward the inner end, with the spoomshaped tines engaging grooves 34 in recess 32 and the widest part of groove 33. The connector member is pushed inwardly until lug 40 engages surface 37 and lance 39 engages the inner end of groove 36, thus, locking the connector member within the cavity. Times 41 extendoutwardly from the inner end of laminated structure 12.

In order to remove a connector member from its cavity, a tool (not shown) is inserted within groove 36 which depresses lance 39 until it is free of the inner end of this locking groove; force is exerted on the wire connected to the connector member and it slides free of the cavity. Other means for securing a connector member in a cavity can, of course, be visualized.

In assembly, plates 4 and 5 are secured, via screws 6, onto stepping switch SS which is mounted onto a suitable mounting means. Connector block CB, with its semicircular rows of aligned connector members 14 corresponding to the semicircular rows of aligned contacts 1 of the stepping switch, is brought into alignment with the laminated structure of the stepping switch. As the connector block is moved toward the stepping switch, groove 15 mates with the guide leg of plate 4 which guides the connector block in a stable manner onto the stepping switch.

The top center section of plate 10 of the connector block slides within the space provided between the guide leg of plate 4 and plate 5, with recess 9 of plate 5 straddling the area containing the threaded section of screw 18. At this point, the bottom semicircular plate of the stepping switch is in engagement with the front part of stepped section 30 of bottom plate 11, the connector members toward the front on each side of the connector block have slidingly engaged some of the contacts of the stepping switch remote from the center and slot 19 of lever 17 is moved into engagement with bearing surface 7 of screw 7.

Upon clockwise rotation of lever 17, connector block CB is moved toward the stepping switch until the uppermost part of the laminated structure, a semicircular plate and mounting plate 2, as well as the bottom semicircular plate of the stepping switch, respectively, engage semicircular ridge 16 and the rearwardmost part of stepped section 30, whereupon the inner end of slot 19 engages surface 7 and each connector member 14 is in engagement with its respective contact 1. Also, the bottom straight surface of recess 13 engages the thicker part of the other leg of plate 4. After lever 17 has been moved to the position shown in FIGURE 2, set screw 21 may be screwed into engagement with plate S which will lock the connector block and stepping switch together. If desired, a depression may be disposed in plate beneath the locking position for set screw 21 in order to more adequately secure the set screw in a locked position. As can be discerned, the distance from the inside surface of the center section of top plate to the top connector members is the same as that from the top of mounting plate 2 to upper contacts of the stepping switch.

As the number of connector members can be quite numerous, this requires considerable effort to push the connector block into position. This is quite easily accomplished via lever 17. Groove 15, plates 4 and 5, and stepped section 30 of plate 11 provide an excellent guiding, mounting and stabilizing means for the connector block. When the connector members engage the contacts, the tines have suflicient spring characteristics to provide an excellent mechanical and electrical connection therewith, in addition to scraping through an oxide coating to increase the electrical conductivit FIGURE 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment. Connector block CB is similar to connector block CB, except that laminated structure 12' holding connector members 14 is not as large since it has a smaller, angular disposition for engagement with the contacts of stepping switch SS', Type 221, manufactured by C. P. Clare and Company, Chicago, Illinois. Also, the mounting is different. In this embodiment, connector block CB is mounted on a suitable mounting means, while the stepping switch is mounted on the connector block and removable therefrom.

Bottom plate 44 is arcuate in accordance with the laminated structure. An intermediate plate 45 and a top plate 46 are disposed on top of the laminated structure. Plate 44, laminated structure 12' and plates 45 and 46 are held together by means of screws or other suitable means to define the connector block assembly. The upper and lower dielectric members in engagement with plates 45 and 44 extend over the connector members in order to provide proper insulation. Plate 45 is likewise arcuate.

Plate 46 is L-shaped and has a flange 47 along the outer sides. A channel 48 is disposed in the underneath surface of the right-hand side of plate 46 when viewing FIGURE 10. Channel 48 extends within flange 47. A thin plate 49 is secured to the underneath surface of plate 46 so that it extends along the side of channel 48 opposite flange 47. A part of plate 49 extends over a small portion of channel 48. Thus, channel 48, with part thereof extending into flange 47 and a part covered by plate 49, defines a guide channel. A hole 50 extends through plate 46 and communicates with channel 48.

A bracket 51 comprises blanked out segments 52 which have surfaces disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface from which they were blanked. Holes are located in segments 52 to accommodate screws 53 which are secured to the mounting plate of stepping switch SS. A hole 54 is located in bracket 51 between segments 52. A wire 55 is secured to the underneath surface of bracket 51, via screws 56, and extends across hole 54. A mounting bracket 57 is secured to plate 46 via nuts 58. If desired, a wire-holding means similar to that disclosed in conjunction with FIGURES 1-4 may be provided on the embodiment of FIGURE 10.

In assembly, bracket 51 secured to the mounting plate of the stepping switch is pushed into channel 48 and the contacts of the stepping switch engage respective connector members 14 of the laminated structure. The bottom surface of the mounting plate of the stepping switch slides along plate 45. When the contacts of the stepping switch are engaged with the connector members, holes 50 and 54 are in alignment, and a conventional Dzus fastener 59 extends therethrough to engage wire 55 which thereby locks the stepping switch and the connector block together.

As can be discerned, there has been disclosed a unique and novel connector block assembly for electrical engage-, ment with stepping switches and the like, having contacts disposed in semicircular fashion. While the invention has been described in conjunction with two types of conventional stepping switches, the present invention can, of course, be used in connection with any other type of stepping switch or device wherein the contacts are disposed in a semicircular or arcuate disposition. It is also contemplated that more than one laminated structure or dielectric block containing the connector members may be provided to accommodate switches or devices of similar configuration.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown and described herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a device having arcuate rows of spaced contact elements extending outwardly from an arcuate surface of dielectric means, an electrical connector having dielectric mounting means provided with an arcuate surface means mateable with said arcuate surface of said dielectric means, arcuate rows of spaced contact'members mounted on said dielectric mounting means corresponding to the arcuate rows of spaced contact elements with the contact elements being electrically engageable with respective contact members, wire means electrically connected to said contact members, guide means on said device and said electrical connector to guide said contact elements and said contact members into electrical engagement with each other, and holding means on said device and said electrical connector to hold said device and said electrical connector together whereby said contact elements and said contact members are maintained in electrical engagement.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said holding means includes a lever means pivotally mounted on one of said device and said electrical connector, said lever means having an arcuate slot, a bearing section on one of said device and said electrical connector, said arcuate slot being adapted to engage said bearing section.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said connector includes wire-holding means holding said wire means in a bunched disposition.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said holding means includes a wire element extending across an opening in one part of said guide means, another part of said guide means having a hole in communication with a guide channel, said opening and hole being adapted to be in alignment when said connector and device are in engagement, fastener means adapted to engage said wire element.

5. In a connector, inner and outer contact carrying blocks of insulating material with each block being formed as a segment of a circle, one of said blocks being smaller than the other, means to guide said blocks during relative movement therebetween along a line of travel and to position and secure said blocks adjacent each other, a first array of contact members positioned in said inner block with each member having a length which is along a radius of the segment of the circle defining the inner block, a second array of contact members positioned in said outer block with each member having a length axis which is along a'radius of the segment of the circle defining the outer block, the contact members of one of said blocks being shaped to facilitate engagement with the contact members of the other of said blocks along lines of travel ranging between approximately transverse to and substantially parallel to said length axes of the contact members whereby said relative movement along said line of travel operates to effect proper engagement between the contact members of said inner block with respective contact members of said outer block.

6. A multiple electrical connector to mate with a stepping switch, said stepping switch having an arcuate surface provided with radially extending contact elements and including means for cooperation with the multiple electrical connector to insure proper mating of the radially extending contact elements with contact members of the multiple electrical connector, said multiple electrical connector comprising plate means, dielectric means on said plate means, said dielectric means having an inner surface defining an arcuate configuration mateable with said arcuate surface of said stepping switch, said dielectric means having said connector members extending radially outwardly from said inner surface of said dielectric means and being electrically mateable with respective contact elements, a guide channel in said plate means to cooperate with said means on said stepping switch to guide said connector members into electrical engagement with respective contact elements, and hold- 8 ing means on said plate means to cooperate with said stepping switch to hold said multiple electrical connector and said stepping switch together whereby said contact elements and said contact members are maintained in electrical engagement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,120,103 6/1938 Linde 339-91 X 2,449,057 9/1948 Clayden 339255 X 2,818,626 1/1958 Ralph et a1. 24--221.2 3,173,734 -3/1965 Hartwell 339-186 X FOREIGN PATENTS 956,884 4/1964 Great Britain.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

W. DONALD MILLER, Examiner. 

6. A MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO MATE WITH A STEPPING SWITCH, SAID STEPPING SWITCH HAVING AN ARCUATE SURFACE PROVIDED WITH RADIALLY EXTENDING CONTACT ELEMENTS AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR COOPERATION WITH THE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO INSURE PROPER MATING OF THE RADIALLY EXTENDING CONTACT ELEMENTS WITH CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, SAID MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING PLATE MEANS, DIELECTRIC MEANS ON SAID PLATE MEANS, SAID DIELECTRIC MEANS HAVING AN INNER SURFACE DEFINING AN ARCUATE CONFIGURATION MATEABLE WITH SAID ARCUATE SURFACE OF SAID STEPPING SWITCH, SAID DIELECTRIC MEANS HAVING SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERRS EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID DIELECTRIC MEANS AND BEING ELECTRICALLY MATEABLE WITH RESPECTIVE CONTACT ELEMENTS, A GUIDE CHANNEL IN SAID PLATE MEANS TO COOPERATE WITH SAID MEANS ON SAID STEPPING SWITCH TO GUIDE SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERS INTO ELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH RESPECTIVE CONTACT ELEMENTS, AND HOLDING MEANS ON SAID PLATE MEANS TO COOOPERATE WITH SAID STEPPING SWITCH TO HOLD SAID MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND SAID STEPPING SWITCH TOGETHER WHEREBY SAID CONTACT ELEMENTS AND SAID CONTACT MEMBERS ARE MAINTAINED IN ELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT. 